Daniel Dubois’ promoter, Frank Warren, has warned Oleksandr Usyk that his man will be taking the belts via knockout this summer, ending any plans for an undisputed showdown with Tyson Fury.
The fight against the 25-year-old Brit will be Usyk’s second defence of the unified heavyweight titles he won from Anthony Joshua, and is a must-win for the Ukrainian should he want to challenge Fury later in the year.
Like most other top fights in the division just now, it’s a set-up for an event in Saudi Arabia for which all involved – Fury, Usyk, Joshua and Deontay Wilder – are set to earn big.
Warren, speaking to IFL TV, believes the plans will have to be re-jigged when Dubois pulls the upset.
“You know what’s gonna happen? Daniel Dubois’ gonna absolutely screw this up for all of them. He’s gonna knock him the f**k out, I’m telling you.”
*𝐄𝐗𝐏𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐓 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐔𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐓* ⚠️
Full interview with @FrankWarren & @Umar_iFL available to watch now ⬇️
🔗 | https://t.co/rn47IcQRSFpic.twitter.com/3VTPZlZizn
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) June 7, 2023
Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, was unfazed by the threats.
“That sounds scary. Hope [Dubois] will not withdraw the last minute as we are making a huge show there in Poland.”
Krassyuk won the purse bid on behalf of his fighter by putting forward around $8 million. The pre-set split by the WBA is 75/25 in favour of the champion.
Whilst not officially announced, the event is expected to take place on August 26 in Wroclaw – a date chosen for its proximity to Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Usyk’s confidence is clear. He’s already signed a deal with Saudi’s Skill Challenge Promotions, and it’s said that Fury will be receiving a fight offer from them in the coming weeks.